Convertible receptacle for shipping and display



Jan. 13, 1959 R. E. PAIGE 2,868,365

CONVERTIBLE RECEPTACLE FOR SHIPPING AND DISPLAY Filed Oct. 4, 1954 5Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.7

INVENTOR. Richard E. Paige I BY - ATTGRNEY Jan. 13, 1959 R. E. PAIGE2,368,365

CONVERTIBLE RECEPTACLE FOR SHIPPING AND DISPLAY Filed Oct 4, 1954 v sSheets-Sheet 2 FIG.I2 L 2 25 '24 20 21 *9 INVENTOR.

Richu rd E. Paige ATTORNEY Jan. 13, 1959 R. E. PAIGE 2,853,365

CONVERTIBLE RECEPTACLE FOR SHIPPING AND DISPLAY Filed Oct. 4, 1954 3Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Richard E. Paige 71%;, fjm

ATTORNEY Patented .lan. 13, 1959 "ice CONVERTIBLE RECEPTACLE FORSHIPPING AND DISPLAY My invention is an improved storage and shippingreceptacle, and particularly a vessel for containing merchandise, andadapted to be quickly transformed into a device for advantageouslyexhibiting the contents to prospective buyers.

The chief object of this invention is to provide such a receptacle inwhich the merchandise can be securely packaged; and which merely bybending and properly disposing some of the parts, can at once beconverted into a structure for prominently displaying all of thearticles which have been stored therein.

. Another object is to provide a receptacle that can be made of a blankor sheet of cardboard or other flexible material, cut and scored so thatall portions thereof can be bent to set up the receptacle and entirelyclose it, after it has been filled; some of said portions being capableof additional bending when the receptacle has been opened to impart toit; in an easy and simple manner, a form suitable for display purposes.

' A further object is to provide a receptacle of such design that it canat once, virtually by manipulation only and with just an ordinarycutting implement, such as the blade of a knife, be converted into avery strong and durable exhibiting unit that will attractively presentthe merchandise to the eye when the dealer offers it for sale.

An additional object is to provide a convertible shipping and storingvessel which can be produced at a minimum extra cost and willefiectively serve all the uses for which it is intended.

Other objects are set out in the following detailed de scription, andall the novel features are defined in the claims. The drawingsillustrate some preferred embodiments of the invention, but theconstructions actually shown are examples only; and variations ofstructure in minor respects may be adopted without really changing oromitting any of the essential characteristics of the invention.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan View of a sheet of cardboard of the required outline,cut and scored, to enable it to be set up in the form of the receptacle.

Figure 2 i a perspective view of the receptacle as it appears in finalform to receive the merchandise.

Figure 3 is a perspective of the receptacle as it is in the process oftransformation into a display stand.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the receptacle when the transformationis completed.

Figure 5 is a side elevation showing thereceptacle prior to conversionand indicating the manner of conversion.

Figures .6 and 7 show details of a partition for the receptacle forpacking it.

Figure 8 is a plan view of a blank similar to Figure 10 for amodification; and

Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 are views similar to Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5,showing further the construction of said modification.

At the present time, in the liquor industry and other lines, tens ofmillions of dollars are spent every year to partition, package and shipvast numbers of bottles containing beverages. Once the cases and themerchandise have safely reached the retail store, they are eitherdiscarded as waste or used by the retailer as. delivery boxes for hisown convenience.

it is a Well known fact that this time the liquor goods industry canonly afford to give displays to about ten percent of their retailoutlets. The rest of the ninety percent purchase goods in such smallquantities that the usual costly display material cannot be afliordedfor such accounts. This leaves ninety percent of the retail outletswithout any adequate means of sales promotion for the store. Thisinvention aims to take the liquor cases that are now being shipped, andby a simple manipulation, to turn them into effective counter displaystands upon which the bottles may be shown to advantage. It is wellknown that bottles which are on a counter stand or on display, faroutsell bottles that are left on a shelf for the dealer to hand to acustomer. The reason for the quicker sales is that being so convenientto the buyer, there is a tendency toward what is known in the trade asimpulse sales.

My invention will utilize a standard container which has additionalscore lines impressed into the board. These additional score lines willnot reduce the strength and cannot be folded while in transit, which isa great advantage. Naturally, if any score lines were put in the boxwhich weakened it for shipping, the purpose of the improvement would bedefeated.

lit has long been the practice in the retail liquor shops for a dealerto take a case cutter or knife, cut three sides of the corrugated box,throw back the cover on its fourth remaining hinged side, and thenremoved the bottles. He will be required to do thesame with thisinvention.

Once the bottles are removed, the usual partitions are then taken out.Next, the dealer cuts the top free except along the front, and foldsportions of the case so as to provide shelves which are so supported andstrengthened that they will not collapse, but will easily bear theweight of bottles which the dealer stands upon them.

One of the important features of this invention is that it utilizes thenatural score lines of the box as part of the display.

Another feature of the invention is to utilize the line in which outerparts or flaps of the box come together to make the top of the case.This line is used as a line of fold.

An additional feature of the invention is the use of slots in each topunder the outer flaps on the top of the case so that a line of foldacross the top can allow bending without rupturing the inner flaps ofthe top. This relieves double thickness and allows the necessary bendingof the top to take place.

While the receptacle or case is produced with corrugated cardboard thedrawings show the case made of plain flat board, which also can be used,for the sake of convenience and clearness.

For the receptacle presented in Figures 1 to 7 inclusive, a flat blankll, of cardboard, for example, rectangular in configuration, haslongitudinal score lines 2 between which are transverse score lines 3.The lines 2 are within the long edges of the blank, and the lines 2 and3 mark 01f on the blank rectangular portions 4 and 5 and similarportions 6 and 7, the portions 4 and 5 being relatively wide to serve asthe sides of the receptacle; while the smaller portions 6 and 7 make theends thereof. The portions of the blank between, the lines 3 and theparallel long edges have cuts 8 extending inward from said edges, eachcut being in line with one assasee 3 of the score lines 3. The cuts itand lines 3 mark off extensions or flaps 9, one of which is hinged toeach end of each portion 4 and 5; and narrower flaps 10, one of which ishinged to each end of each portion is and 7. At the outer edge of theportion 6, for example, is a flap or tab 11, withanother score line atits junction with the portion ti.

' When the receptacle or case is given its shape, the blank is bentdownward with respect to the plane of the drawings along the score lines3, and the flap if is secured by adhesive or metal fasteners 12 theopposite end of the blank along the edge of the portion With theportions 4 and 5, t5 and 7 respectively parallel, the flapslltl arefirst bent over, and the flaps 9 are then bent down upon the flaps iiito make the closed bottornof the box or receptacle. The flaps or se-cti9 and iii} are secured together by metal fasteners or adhesive, so thatthey are permanently connected. Before the receptacle is closed at thetop a network of long partitions M and transverse partitions is insertedthe interior is thus divided into, say, twelve square C(Jll'h partmentsof equal size. When an article of merchandise is inserted in eachcompartment, the top flaps and Ltd are made fast and the receptacle isready for shipment.

For converting the receptacle into a display stand, the front portion 4is given an extra score line lid in such position asto be near andparallel to the bottom of the receptacle when it is set up. In the topflap 9 another transverse score line ll is impressed near the junctionof the rear top flap 9 with the back 5. The line between the opposingends of the extensions 9 on the top provides an additional transversescore line 2th at the middle of the top, as the extensions 9 are made ofequal length and just large enough to close the bottom and top. Also ineach end 6 and 7 is a pair of diagonal score lines Zll and 22 extendingfrom the ends of the line upward and rearward to the edges of the topalong said ends.

One diagonal line 21 of each pair reaches the top just behind the middlescore line 20, and the other line 22 lies about midway between the line21 and the front 4 e of the receptacle.

When the dealer wishes to exhibit the contents of the box he makes a cutwith a knife along each end 6 and 7 at the top from front to back, andalong the back between the ends right under the top of the receptacle atthe level of the line A--B, indicated on Figures 2 and 9. He then liftsthe top and bends the upper part 23 of the front 4 inward along thescore line 18-. This movement of the portion 23 of the front 4 swingsoutward the triangular strips 24 and 25 marked off by the diagonal lines2]. and 22,. as shown on Figure 3; lifts and then pulls down the forwardhalf 26 of the top, which bends along the line 2% On further bending thepart 23 of the front 4 above the line 18 becomes horizontal, the strips2 and 25 are pulled down and distended till they lie flat against theinner faces of the ends 6 and 7 of the receptacle and the forward half26 of the top becomes vertical. See Figure 4. The strip 27 along therear of the top near the back 5, is turned down and the strip 28 betweenthe line 19 and the middle line 29 is arranged to be horizontal, withthe strip 27 reinforcing the rear edge. The end of the diagonal line 21reaches the top just at the rear of the line 2t and about as far fromthe line 26) as the width of the reinforcingwstrip 27. In final positionthe part 23 of the front is fully horizontal and the forward half 26 atthe top becomes vertical, with most of the rear half horizontal. and thereinforcing strip 27 vertical and in contact with the rear side 7 of thebox. The strip 28 then becomes an upper shelf between the ends 6 and 7for one transverse row of the articles in the receptacle, and thehorizontal part 23' of the front becomes a wider shelf below the shelf28* for two transverse rows of the merchandise. The ends 6 and 7 projectabove both shelves 23 and 2%.

The receptacle is thustransformed at once by cutting 4 the edges alongthe top and back and bending the parts into place as above described.

When the receptacle is filled the partitions 13 and 14 are useful tokeep the separate articles from colliding and breaking; and when thereceptacle is converted to exhibit the merchandise one of the partitions14 is put inside to prop the upper shelf 23. The partitions 14 havevertical notches 16 in their upper edges and the partitions 13 havesimilar notches 17 in their lower edges, and the partitions lid and 13are interconnected by means of these notches in the usual way. Thepartition 14 for. supporting the upper shelf 23 is bent into zigzagformation and placed between the shelf 23 and'the bottom, as indicatedon Figures 4 and 5.

The receptacle illustrated in Figures 8 to 12 inclusive, which are viewsof the same nature as Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, respectively, show asimilar receptacle modified so that the top shelf is lower and requiresno prop under it. In this form the front 4 again has the transversescore line 13; and the foreward half 28 of the top or upper extension ifof the back of the receptacle has a score line 29 near the front 4, andmarking off a transverse strip 3i). Each diagonal score line 21 has itsupper end just back of the transverse line 20 at the middle of the top,as before, and each diagonal score line 22 has its upper extremitybetween the line 2!} and the front side 4. When the ends and back areagain out along their upper edges and the upper part 23 of the front 4is moved down and inward to horizontal position between the ends 6 and7, to serve as the lower shelf, the strip 30 becomes vertical and theportion 26 of the top or of the forward extension fit between the lines29 and 20 becomes horizontal to serve as the upper shelf of the stand.The rear half or eaxension 9 which was attached to the upper of the back5 is disposed in upright position against theinncr face of the back 5 ofthe receptacle. The wide ends of this extension make firm contact withthe inner faces of the ends 6 and 7 and the upper shelf is thusstiffened and prevented from sagging or tilting. The upper shelf willagain take a single row of merchandise, and the lower shelf is wideenough for a double row from one end of the case to the other.

In both designs of the receptacle the triangular webs 24 and 25 in finalpositions lie flat against the inside faces of the ends and abut thevertical portions 26 and 3t and function as locks to maintain thedisplay stand formation. The upper shelf in each stand being heldrigidly in place by the props afforded by the partition 14, or the widevertical strip formed by one extension 9 which extends ilush along theedge at the top of the back 5 and presses tightly at its extremitiesagainst the inside surfaces of the ends 6 and 7, a very strong and stiffunit results. The parts of the top and portion 23 which'are moved inbetween the ends 6 and 7 are a little longer than the inside distancebetween said ends; therefore a tight fit is obtained and collapse of theshelves when loaded is effectually prevented.

The convertible receptacle can be made of ordinary cardboard, corrugatedcardboard, or other flexible sheet material, and is well calculated toserve to the best ad vantages all the purposes of this invention.

While the receptacle is described above as having sides 4 and 5 and ends6 and 7, the ends 6 and 7also may obviously be regarded as sides of thereceptacle, in the sense that all such portions present lateral facesbetween the top and bottom.

To facilitate conversion of the receptacle into a display stand, theinner flaps 10 which are under the flaps 9 of the top, must also becreased or scored at 31 to register with the opposing edges of the outerflaps 9. Also there must be such score lines in 10 to register with thescore lines 19 and 29 in the flaps 9 the cuts 01' score lines indicatedat 1% and 29a in Figures 1 and 8 in the extensions 10 for the topregister with the lines. 19 and 29 respectively, so that when the strips27 and 30' are art-eases bent, as shown in Figures 3 and 11, parts ofthe flaps can also be bent down, said flaps being torn if necessaryalong the cuts up to the junctions ofrthe flaps 10with the portions 6and 7.

Having described my invention what I believe to be new 1s:

l. A shipping receptacle having top, bottom, two, ends and two sidessaid receptacle being securely closed at all points, said top havingrelatively movable sections with opposed edges parallel to the upperedge of one side, one of said sections having a score line parallel tosaid upper edgefsaid side having a score line below said upper edge andparallel thereto, said score lines and i said edges defining portionsshaped and capable of bend ing inward to provide shelves at differentlevels in the receptacle at the front and rear thereof, said ends havingdiverging score lines extending from the extremities of said score linein the side tothe tops of said ends and defining foldable webs tosupport one of said shelves.

2. A shipping receptacle having a top, bottom, two ends and two sidessaid receptacle being securely closed at all points, said top havingrelativelymovable sections with opposed edges parallel to the upper edgeof one side, one of said sections having a score line parallel to saidupper edge, said side having a score line below said upper edge andparallel thereto, said score lines and said edges defining portionsshaped and capable of bending inward, some into position parallel to thetop and some perpendicular thereto to make shelves in the receptacle atthe front andrear thereof, said ends having diverging score linesextending from the extremities of said score line in the side to thetops of said ends and defining foldable webs to support one of saidshelves said shelves being at unequal height above said bottom.

3. A shipping receptacle having a top, bottom, two ends and two sidessaid receptacle being securely closed at all points, said top havingrelatively movable sections with opposed edges parallel to the upperedge of one side, one of said sections having a score line parallel tosaid upper edge, said side having a score line below" said upper edgeand parallel thereto, said score lines and said edges defining portionsshaped and capable of bending inward, some into position parallel to thetop and some perpendicular thereto to make shelves in the receptacle atthe front and rear thereof, said ends having diverging score linesextending from the extremities of said score line in the side to thetops of said ends and defining foldable webs to support one of saidshelves said shelves being at unequal height above said bottom, saidperpendicular portions reinforcing the inner edges of said shelves.

4. A shipping receptacle having a top, bottom, two ends and two sides,and having a transverse score line in a side, transverse score lines inthe top and score lines in both ends adjacent said side, said scorelines in said side and top marking oif portionsfor shelves, and thescore lines in the ends being diagonal and marking oif triangular websconnected to each other and disposed adjacent said sides for lockingsaiclshelves in position.

5. A shipping receptacle having a top, bottom, two ends and two sides,and having a transverse score line in a side, transverse score lines inthe top and score lines in both ends adjacent said side, said scorelines in said side and top marking ofi" portions for shelves, and thescore lines in the ends being diagonal and marking ofif 65? score linesin the ends being connected to each other and marking oif webs forlocking said shelves in position, said webs being triangular with theirbases adjacent said top.

7. A shipping receptacle having a top, bottom, two ends and two sides,and having a transverse score line in a side, transverse score lines inthe top and score lines in both ends adjacent said side, said scorelines in said side and top marking off portions for shelves, and thescore lines in the ends being diagonal and marking ofi webs for iockingsaid shelves in position, said last-named score lines being connected toeach other and disposed adjacent said sides and extending from the endsof said score line in each side upward and rearward to the edges of saidtop, said webs being triangular with their bases adjacent said top.

8. A shipping receptacle having a top, hottomdtwo sides and two ends,said receptacle being securely closed at all points, one of said sideshaving a transverse score line above the bottom extending from end toend, the top having one transverse score line adjacent the center andanother score line parallel to said score line adjacent the center ofthe top, both score lines in the top extending from end to end, parallelto the score line in the side, the receptacle having foldable triangularwebs at each end adjacent the portion of said side between said scoreline in said side and the top, so that'when the said portion is cut freefrom the ends and the top is cut free except along said side, said topand said portion can be bent inward to form shelves between the endsalong the front and back of the receptable, the webs then supporting theshelf containing said portion.

9. A shipping receptacle having a top, bottom, two sides and two ends,said receptacle being securely closed at all points, one of said sideshaving a transverse score line above the bottom extending from end toend, the top having one transverse score line adjacent'the center andanother score line parallel to said score line adjacent the center ofthe top, both score lines in the top extending from end to end, parallelto the score line in the side, the receptacle having foldable triangularwebs at each end adjacent the portion of said side between said coreline in said side and the top, so that when the said portion is cut freefrom the ends and the top is out free except along said side, said topand said portion can be bent inward to form shelves between the endsalong the front and back or thereceptacle, the webs then supporting theshelf containing said portion, the other score line in the top beingadjacent said opposite side.

10. A shipping receptacle having a top, bottom, two sides and two ends,said receptacle being securely closed at all points, one of said sideshaving a transverse score line above the bottom extending from end toend, the top having one transverse score line adjacent the center andanother score line parallel to said score line adjacent the center ofthe top, both score lines in the top extending from end to end, parailelto the score line in the side, the receptacle having foldable triangularwebs at each end adjacent the portion of said side between said scoreline in said side and the top, so that when the said portion is out freefrom the ends and the top is out free except along said side, said topand said portion can be bent inward to form shelves between the endsalong the front and back of the receptacle, the webs then supporting theshelf containing said portion, the other score line in the top lyingbetween the score line adjacent the center and the rear of the top.

11. A shipping receptacle having a top, bottom, two sides and two ends,said receptacle being securely closed at all points, one of said sideshaving a transverse score line above the bottom extending from end toend, the top having one transverse score line adjacent the center andanother score line parallel to said score line adjacent the center ofthe top, both score lines in the top extending from end to end, parallelto the score line in 6' the side, the receptacle having ioldable webs ateach endadja'cent the portion of said side between said score line insaid side and the top, so that when the said portion is out free fromthe ends and the top is cut free except along said side, said top andsaid portion can be bent inward to form shelves between the ends alongthe front and back of the receptacle, the webs then supporting the shelfcontaining said portion, the other score line in the top lying betweenthe score line adjacent the center and the rear of the top, said webshaving the form of inverted triangles with their bases at the top.

12. A shipping receptacle having a top, bottom, two sides and two endssaid receptacle being securely closed at all points, one of said sideshaving a transverse score line above the bottom extending from end toend, the top having one transverse score line adjacent the centerand'another score line parallel to said score line adjacent the centerof the top, both score lines in the top extending from end to end,parallel to the score line in the side, the receptacle having foldablewebs at each end adjacent the portion of said side between said scoreline in said side and the top, so that when the said portion is cut freefrom the ends and the top is cut free except along said side, said topand said portion can be bent inward to form shelves between the endsalong the front and back of the receptacle, the webs then sup portingthe shelf containing said portion, the other score line in the top lyingbetween the score line adjacent the center and the rear of the top, saidwebs having the form of inverted triangles with their bases at the top,and hinge-connected to said ends, said portion, and each other.

, 13. A shipping receptacle having a top, bottom, two sides and twoends, said receptacle being securely closed at all points, one of saidsides having a transverse score line above the bottom extending from endto end, the top having one transverse score line adjacent the center andanother score line parallel to said score line adjacent the center ofthe top, both score lines in the top extending from end to end, parallelto the score line in the side, the receptacle having foldable webs ateach end adjacent the portion of said side between said score line insaid side and the top, so that when tie said portion is cut ree from theends and the top is cut free except along said side, said top and saidportion can be bent inward to form shelves between the ends along thefront and back of the receptacle, the webs then supportin the shelfcontaining said portion, said webs having the form of inverted triangleswith their bases at the top.

14. A shipping receptacle having a top, bottom, two sides and two ends,said receptacle being securely closed at all points, one of said sideshaving a transverse score line above the bottom extending from end toend, the top having one transverse score line adjacent the center andanother score line parallel to said score line adjacent the center ofthe top, both score lines in the top extending from end to end, parallelto the score line in the side, the receptacle having foldable webs ateach end adjacent the portion of said side between said score line insaid side and the top, so that when the said portion is cut free fromthe ends and the top is cut tree except along said side, said top andsaid portion can be bent inward to form shelves between the ends alongthe front and back of the receptacle, the webs then supporting the shelfcontaining said portion, said webs having the form of in-' verted,triangles with their bases at the top, and hingeconnected to said ends,said portion, and each other.

15. A combined shipping box and display unit comprisingtwo side and twoend walls hingedly connected and respectively parallel, and cover flapsat the top and bottom edges of'each wall, said flaps being secured inoverlapping position for shipping, a score line extending across oneside wall and terminating at the end walls, each end wall having twoscore lines extending up from the extremities of the aforesaid scoreline to the top of said end walls, one inclined at a predetermined angleand the other at approximately twice said angle to the adjacentjunctions of the end walls and said side wall, two of said flaps at thetop of the box having a dividing line between them and one having ascore'line in it and parallel to said side walls, said first-named sidewall when cut free above the score line therein from theend walls andcover flaps when the cover flaps are cut free except along saidfirst-named side wall permitting the first-named side, Wall and coverflaps to be bent into shelving between the end walls of the box, theportions between the inclined lines being foldable inward to support ashelf. 16. A combined shipping box and display unit having two parallelside walls and two parallel end walls, and

top and bottom flaps to be sealed for shipping, the end walls and oneside wall having five score lines in all, one of said score lines beingin said side wall adjacent and parallel to its lower edge, said endwalls having two of said score lines each, inclined from the score linein said side wall at different angles toward said top, two of saidfiapsmaking the top cover having a line dividing them, said line beingparallel to said one side wall, one of said flaps at the top having ascore line parallel to said side walls, said flaps of the cover, whencut free except along the said side wall, and said one side Wall whenout free above the score line therein from the end walls being rnov'ableinto positions forming shelving between said ends, and the portions inthe end walls along said inclined lines being foldable inward intopositions to support a shelf.

17. A box comprising joined portions forming two sides and two ends,flaps joined to the sides and ends to form top and bottom, one sidehaving a transverse score line parallel and adjacent to its lower edge,two of the flaps being side by side in position for the top, and one ofsaid two flaps having a score line parallel to said side, said ends eachhaving diagonal score lines inclined at different angles and extendingfrom the score line in theside toward said top, one such diagonal lineterminat ing adjacent the opposite edges of said flaps and the otherbetween one side and said opposed edges, said diagonal lines marking 01ftriangular webs with their bases at'the tops of the end walls. 9

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS927,538 Hothersall July 13, 1909 1,764,216 Laubenheirner June 17, 19301,916,647 Walker July 4, 1933 1,926,793 Richards Sept. 12, 19332,178,730 Stein Nov. 7, 1939 2,727,619 Paige Dec. 20, 1955

